EU officials warn of rising costs from climate change impacts

European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra has warned that EU governments must increase investment in climate adaptation to avoid significantly higher future costs. Extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires, are already causing substantial economic damage. The European Commission estimates that climate-related disasters are currently reducing EU GDP by 1%, a figure projected to rise to 2.3% by 2050 and 7% by the end of the century.

To mitigate these risks, the EU requires an annual investment of approximately 70 billion euros in adaptation measures, such as flood prevention and urban cooling. However, current government spending is estimated at only 29 billion euros per year, while annual damages to infrastructure and property average 45 billion euros.

In the Czech Republic, President Petr Pavel noted that climate change is manifesting through increasingly frequent and severe weather fluctuations, such as heavy rainfall, late frosts, and droughts. He emphasized the need for mitigation strategies, including improved water retention in landscapes and the cultivation of more resilient crops. Pavel also highlighted the growing role of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and drones, in helping the agricultural sector manage these environmental shifts.